LNG bunkering vessel “Kaguya” achieves its 200th LNG Bunkering Operation
― Providing Ship-to-Ship LNG Bunkering Services in the Chubu region ―

October 8, 2026
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.

 

On September 30, 2026 the LNG Bunkering Vessel “Kaguya”*¹ achieved a cumulative total of  200th safe ship-to-ship*² LNG bunkering operations*³ in Mikawa Bay in Japan. Kaguya is owned and operated by joint venture companies*⁴ in which Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) has invested.

 

“K” LINE has operated an LNG bunkering business for LNG-fueled vessels in the Chubu region through joint venture companies since October 2020.
 

Through this business, the joint venture companies have established a stable LNG fuel supply chain system in the Chubu region for LNG-fueled vessels, including “K” LINE’s LNG-fueled car carrier CENTURY HIGHWAY GREEN.*⁵ ,while continuing to expand its LNG bunkering services.

 

“K” LINE will continue to contribute to the decarbonization of the shipping industry and the reduction of environmental load by providing safe and reliable LNG bunkering services.

 

*1    This is the first LNG bunkering vessel operating in Japan, began operating in October 2020. The vessel’s name was inspired by the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, which is considered the oldest story in Japan. It also reflects the companies’ hopes that the LNG bunkering market will grow tall and endure like bamboo.

 

*2    Ship-to-Ship Bunkering is a method of bunkering in which an LNG bunkering vessel comes alongside an LNG-fueled vessel to supply LNG. This can be done at various locations, such as along quays or piers or when ships are at anchor.

 

*3    It is expected that LNG fuel’s sulfur oxide (SOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions will be approximately 100% less than for heavy oil fuels, and it is expected that nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO²) emissions will be reduced up to 80% and approximately 30%, respectively. LNG shows promise as a marine fuel replacing heavy oil to respond to increasingly stringent international regulations on marine emissions.

 

*4    Central LNG Shipping Japan Corporation and Central LNG Marine Fuel Japan Corporation are joint venture companies jointly established by “K” LINE, JERA Global Energy Solutions Pte Ltd., Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha and Toyota Tsusho Corporation.
https://central-lng.com/en/

 

*5    CENTURY HIGHWAY GREEN is an LNG-fueled car carrier delivered on March 12, 2021. It continues to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by using LNG fuel. 
https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/car/car-20210312.html

 

Related Press Release
September 18, 2020: Naming Ceremony Held for Japan’s First LNG Bunkering Vessel
https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/fuel/fuel-20200918.html
 

March 16, 2021: Ship-to-ship Bunkering Conducted for LNG-fueled Vessel CENTURY HIGHWAY GREEN
https://www.kline.co.jp/ja/news/fuel/fuel-20210316.html
 

November 18, 2024: LNG bunkering vessel “Kaguya” achieves 100th ship-to-ship LNG bunker supply
https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/fuel/fuel-20241118.html